What makes Interstate Gospel so invigorating is hearing how Lambert, Monroe, and Presley mesh as both songwriters and singers. Their time apart has only strengthened their bond, resulting in a fully realized and resonant record that is their best to date.

The 14 songs on Interstate Gospel tell a tightly-woven story about adult restlessness, bittersweet farewells and hard-won independence. Several albums into their own individual and collective career, the Pistol Annies are less interested in singing about burning down their ex-husbands’ houses than in burning up their own dull lives in order to start anew.

On their third release as the Annies, three of the strongest writers and artists of their genre craft a deeper and more developed storyline of three characters no longer out for revenge, but out for forgiveness.

The themes here are familiar to their previous releases both solo and as the Annies - family ties (5 Acres of Turnips feels like a prelude to Family Feud), one-upping men at their own games (Sugar Daddy harkens back to Hell on Heels), the trials and tribulations of life in the south, ... read more

Interstate Gospel is the trio's longest record, but probably the most soulful and earnest. A collection of great songs will please the country palate, especially so in a year with great releases on the alternative and contemporary circuit.

Enough time has passed since the last Pistol Annies album, and enough albums released between its three stars, that they easily could have forgotten about this project, which makes it all the better that “Interstate Gospel” is the best Pistol Annies album to date. Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe, and Angaleena Presley still get some joyrides out of their system here, but “Interstate Gospel” showcases the Pistol Annies’ songwriting at their most captivating and ... read more